Modified pulpwood load aligner



J. E. EYNON May 24, 1966 MODIFIED PULPWOOD LOAD ALIGNER 5 Sheets-$heet 1Filed June 24, 1965 Attorneys May 24, 1966 J. E. EYNON MODIFIED PULPWOODLOAD ALIGNER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 24, 1963 In veni'or- JthnEkncsii Eynon A;

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May 24, 1966 J. E. EYNON 3,252,593

MODIFIED PULPWOOD LOAD ALIGNER Filed June 24. 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Inuentor May 24, 1966 J. E. EYNON MODIFIED PULPWOOD LOAD ALIGNER FiledJune 24, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 i to 'ncys y 4, 1966 J1. EYNON 3,252,593

MODIFIED PULPWOOD LOAD ALIGNER Filed June 24, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inmmim- John fif'na=.5 Z Hon United States Patent 3,252,593 IVIODIFEEDPULPWOOD LOAD ALHGNER John E. Eynon, Fort William, tlntario, Canada,assignor to Abitihi Power & Paper Company, Limited, Iroquois Falls,(lntario, Canada, a company of Canada Filed June 24, 1963, Ser. No.239,991 Claims priority, application Canada, Mar. 22, 1963, 871,486 6Claims. (Cl. 214-6) This invention relates to an improved load alignerand more particularly to an apparatus adapted for aligning logs whichhave been loaded cross-wise upon a vehicle which is used to transportthem.

In the logging industry when logs are cross-loaded on a transportingvehicle such as a truck or a trailer, a condition invariably existsWhere the log ends are not even and protrude excessively beyond the loadwidth. It has become essential for transporting of this material overpublic highways that some economical means he found to align these loadsto the legal allowable load widths.

The apparatus now presently being used for aligning logs is rathercomplex as regards to the superstructure used to support the aligningmeans.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved compactapparatus for aligning logs lying across vehicles, which is less costly,relatively simple and lighter in construction and easily portablecompared to the devices now on the market. It is desired that this apparatus be mobile in that it can be easily dismantled, packed on a truckand moved to a new location and be set up again. The advantage of usingan apparatus, according to the present invention, is that it can alwaysbe moved near the source where the logs are loaded on the transportingvehicle.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus whichutilizes the motor power of the transport ing vehicle and requires nofurther operator than the driver of the transporting vehicle. 7

A further object of this invention is to provide a load aligner whichwill operate rapidly and very efliciently and yet will handle a load ofany length.

The foregoing objects are achieved in accordance with this invention byproviding an apparatus for aligning a load of logs lying across avehicle comprising a supporting ramework, a pair of drums beingrotatably mounted on said framework with at least one of said drumsbeing also pivotally mounted, said drums being spaced to permit saidvehicle with its load to be driven between said drums with said drumsbearing on the ends of said logs.

The invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view showing the basic structural outline of the loadaligner.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention showing a vehicle containing logs to be aligned passingthrough the apparatus.

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view corresponding with FIGURE 1 andshowing a longitudinal section through one of the drums.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view corresponding with FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a part sectional end elevational view showing an alternativeembodiment of this invention.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIG- URE 1, main frame 2containing the load aligner is composed of two longitudinal framemembers 3 and 4, which are joined together by traverse frame members 5,6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. On the outside of longitudinal member 3 isconstructed a ramp 11 on which the trans-porting vehicle containing thelogs may enter or leave the aligning device. Also on the outside oflongitudinal member 4 another ramp 12 is constructed by which thetransporting vehicle may leave or enter the aligning device. The tworamps 11 and 12 and the area encompassed by members 3, 7, 4 and 8 of themain structure are covered with any suitable planking 13 shown in FIGURE3.

Adequate stability for the aligning device is provided by virtue of thefact that ramps 11 and 12 are attached to members 3 and 4 in such a waythat the load weight of the transporting vehicle on the ramp tends toresist any over-turning moment of the aligning unit.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 a transporting vehicle 14, which is shown hereas a truck, has loaded on it a load 15 of pulpwood bolts 16 which havebeen loaded crosswise. Some of the pulpwood bolts, such as pulpwood bolt16A, are shown as extending beyond one side of the vehicle 15 and otherpulpwood bolts such as 163 are shown as extending beyond the other sideof the vehicle 14.

The aligning device is shown in detail in FIGURE 3 in which a pair ofdrums 40 are suitably spaced to allow a vehicle loaded with pul pwoodbolts to pass between them. Drum 40 contains a drum supporting means 17.The drum supporting means 17 is pivotally connected to the longitudinalframe members 3 and 4 by a pair of hinge frames 18. Hinge frames 18 areconnected at the bottom by means of pins 19 to lugs 20 which areintegrally connected to longitudinal frame members 3 and 4. Hinge frames18 are connected at the top by means of pins 21 to lugs 22 which areintegrally connected to the drum supporting means 17. Drum supportingmeans 17 comprises a rectangular base member 23 through which anon-rotatable shaft 24 is integrally mounted. Shaft 24 is additionallysupported by struts 25 which are integrally attached to shaft 24 at thepoint where hub thrust bearing 28 is located and then extends downwardlyand outwardly to the corners 26 of the base member 23.

The lower extremity of shaft 24 below the base member 23 forms asupporting column 29 which terminates in a foot member 30 which rests ona rubber pad 31. The rubber pad 31 is integrally connected to thetraverse member 9. By this construction toot member 30 rests freely onresilient pad 31 which is preferably rubber and, therefore, is free tomove upwards and outwards when drum 40 is displaced. It is preferredthat the adjustment of the hinge frames 18 and the length of thesupporting column 29 is such that the hinge frames form an angle ofapproximately 45 with the longitudinal mem bers 3 and 4.

Chains 32 are provided as a safety feature to restrict the range of drummovement within the desired limit.

The upper extremity of shaft 24 above hub thrust hearing 28 provides theaxle or spindle 35 upon which the drum hub 36 is rotatably mounted.Sleeve bearings 46 and 47 are provided between axle 35 and drum hub 36.

Drum 40 comprises a circular shell 41 suitably reinforced by circularchannel members 42 and vertical channel members 43. The vertical channelmembers 43 are joined to the drum hub 36 by means of radial spokes 44.

It is preferred that the shell 41 of drum 40 carry corrugations whichmay be either horizontal or vertical.

A cap 43 with a locking screw 49 is provided on the top of hub 36 toretain the drum 40 on axle 35 when the drum 40 is displaced.

To align the ends of the pulpwood bolt 16 piled on a vehicle 14, such asa truck, the driver drives the truck onto the ramp 11 and between thedrums 40.

\Nhen the pulpwood bolts pass between the drums 4t), the drums 40 arecaused to rotate which provide a rolling action. This rolling actionstraightens the logs as the truck passes between the drums 40. In mostcases, a single pass may be suflicient to align the load 16 but in somecases it may be necessary to make several passes J) or reverse for ashort distance and then go forward to completely align the load.

It is noted that there is no limit on the length of the load which maybe handled and no mechanical power is required for the operation.Furthermore, the only operator needed is the driver of the truck.

As previously stated when the load 15 passes between the drums 40, theprotruding logs are pushed in by the rolling action of the drums. Whenoverlength logs, or logs which cannot be pushed into alignment becauseof fouling are encountered, one or both drums are displaced outwardly.If a drum is displaced horizontally, it is also raised vertically byvirtue of the inclined hinge frames 18 thereby storing kinetic energyfor return of the drum to its original position once the obstructionispassed. In as much as the angle of the hinge frames 18 is preferablyabout 45 to the horizontal, a drum will have a reaction to an outwarddisplacement force about equal to its weight.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGURE 5, drum 60 is stationaryin that it cannot be displaced outwardly. However drum 80 is constructedin the same manner as drum 40 in FIGURE 3 and, therefore, drum 80 iscapable of being displaced if the load contains obstructions.

Stationary drum 60 is mounted on a pedestal 61. Pedestal 61 comprises apyramid shaped frame 62 composed of side members 63 and 64 supported bya brace member 65 and a column 67 integrally secured in the top of thepyramid shaped frame 62. Side members 63 and 64 are integrally attachedto longitudinal frame member 3a at 72 and 73 respectively. The bottom ofcolumn 67 is integrally secured to traverse member 6a by the metalplates 68. The top of the column 67 above the pyramid shaped frame 62forms an axle 69 on which the hub 36a of drum 60 is rotatably mounted.Sleeve bearings 46a and 47a are provided between axle 69 and drum hub36a. A hub thrust bearing 2821 is placed between said hub 36a and thetop of pedestal 61'.

Drum 60 comprises a circular shell 41a suitably reinforced by circularchannel members 42a and vertical channel members 43a; The verticalchannel members 43a are joined to the drum hub 3'60 by means of radialspokes 440.

It is preferred that the shell 41a of drum 60 carry corrugations whichmay be either vertical or horizontal.

A cap 48a'with a'locking screw 49a is provided on the top of hub 36a toretain the drum 60' on axle 69".

Drum 80' is secured to supporting means 17b which is shown as beingpivotally connected to longitudinal frame member 3a by a pair of hingeframes 18b. Hinge frame 18b is connected at its bottom by means of a pin19b to lug 20b which is integrally connected to longitudinal framemember3a. Hinge frame 185 is connected at its top by means of a pin 21b to lug225 which is integrally connected to drum supporting means 175. Drumsupporting means 17b comprises a rectangular base member 23b throughwhich a non-rotatable shaft 24b is integrally mounted. Shaft 24b isadditionally supported by struts 2511 which are integrally attached toshaft 24b at the point where hub thrust bearing 28b is located and thenextenddownwardly and outwardly to the corners 26b of the base member23b.

The lower extremity of shaft 24b below the base member 2312 forms asupporting column 2% which terminates in a foot member 30b which restson a resilient pad 31b which is preferably rubber. The pad 31b isintegrally connected to the traverse member 9b. By this constructionfoot member 30b rests freely onrubber pad 31band,

therefore, is free to move upwards and outwardly when.

drum 80 is displaced. It is prefer-red that the adjustment of the hingeframes 18b and the length of the supporting column 29b is such. that thehinge frames 1819 form an angle of approximately 45 with thelongitudinal members to which they are attached.

Chain 32b is provided as a safety feature to restrict the range of drummovement within the desired limit.

The upper extremity of shaft 24b above hub thrust hearing 28b providesthe axle or spindle 35b upon which the drum hub 36b is rotatablymounted. Sleeve bearings 46b and 47b are provided between axle 35b anddrum hub 36b. Drum comprises a circular shell 41b suitably reinforced bycircular channel members 42b and vertical channel members 43b. Thevertical channel members 431) are joined to the drum hub 36b by means ofradial spokes 44b.

It is preferred that the shell 41b of drum 80 carry corrugations whichmay be either horizontal or vertical.

A cap 48b with a locking screw 49b is provided on the top of hub 36b toretain the drum 80 on axle 35b when the drum 80 is displaced.

The operation of the embodiment, shown in FIGURE 5, is similar to theoperation of the load aligner shown in FIGURES 3 land 4 except that whenoverlength logs are encountered only one of the drums is displacedoutwardly. A load aligned with the aligner, shown in FIG- URE 5,wouldybe evenly aligned on the side which contacted stationary drum 60.-Any of the overlength pulpwood bolts would then protrude from the otherside due to displaceable drum 80.

It is apparent from the foregoing description of the embodiments of thisinvention, which illustrate the a vehicle comprising a framework of apair of longitudinal members joined at spaced intervals by transversemembers, a pair of drums, each of said drums being rotatably and,pivotally mounted on said framework by means of drum supporting meanspivotally connected to said longitudinal members by hinge arms, saiddrum supporting means containing a rectangular base in which isintegrally attached a column perpendicular thereto, struts extendingfrom said column to the edge of the upper face of said rectangular basefor supporting said column, one end of said column below the drumsupporting means forming a pillar which rests on a transverse member forsupporting and limiting the movement of said drum and the other end ofsaid column above the drum supporting means forming an axle on whichsaid drum is rotatably mounted, said drums being spaced to permit saidvehicle with its load to be driven between said drums with said drumsbearing on the ends of said logs.

2. An apparatus for aligning a load of logs according to claim 1 inwhich each of said drums consists of a circular shell reinforced bycircular channel members and vertical channel members, saidverticalchannel members being joined to a drum hub means of radial spokes, saiddrum hub being provided with sleeve bearings and being adapted to fit onsaid axle so that said drum is rotatably mounted.

3. An apparatus for aligning a load of logs according to claim 2 inwhich ramps are attached to both sides of said longitudinal members inline with the space between said drums to provide stability for thealigning apparatus in that the load weight of the vehicle on said rampstends to resist any over-turning moment of the aligning apparatus.

4. An apparatus for aligning a load of logs lying across a vehiclecomprising a framework of a pair of longitudinal members joined atspaced intervals by transverse members; apair of drums, one of saiddrums being'mounted on said framework by means of first drum supportingmeans so that the drum cannot be displaced either horizontally orvertically but is free to rotate, said first drum supporting means beingin the form of a pyramid shaped frame integrally connected to saidlongitudinal member with a first column integrally secured therein, saidfirst column is also integrally secured at its bottom end to atransverse member While the top of said first column forms a first axleon which said drum is rotatably mounted, the second of said pair ofdrums being pivotally as well as rotatably mounted by means'of seconddrum supporting means pivotally connected to said longitudinal membersby hinge arms, said drum supporting means containing a rectangular basein which is integrally attached a second column perpendicular thereto,struts extending from said second column to the edge of the upper faceof said rectangular base for supporting said second column, one end ofsaid second column below the second drum supporting means forming apillar with a foot thereon which rests on a rubber pad integrallyattached to a transverse member for supporting and limiting the movementof said drum and the other end of said second column above the seconddrum supporting means forming a second axle on which said drum isrotatably mounted, said drums being spaced to permit said vehicle withits load to be driven between said drums with said drums bearing on theends of said logs. v

5. An apparatus for aligning a load of logs lying across a vehiclecomprising a base framework, a pair of drums rotatably mounted on saidframework, at least one of said drums being mounted on a drum supportand having a first set of spaced members connected between said baseframework and said drum support said spaced members being pivotallyconnected at each end about axes parallel to the direction of travel ofthe vehicle and a second set of spaced members connected between thebase framework and the drum support and piovtally connected at each endabout axes parallel and spaced from the first mentioned axes, themembers of the first and second sets being arranged to bias said drum inthe direction of the other drum of the pair of drums, said drums beingspaced to permit said vehicle with its load to be driven between saiddrums with said drums bearing on the ends of the logs.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5 in which the base framework comprises apair of longitudinal members joined in spaced intervals by transversemembers and in which the spaced members of each set are connected bytransverse members to provide frame members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 718,543 1/1903Starks 21416.42 1,843,281 2/1932 Hoodless 198-29 2,258,461 10/1941Marsden et a1.

2,322,946 6/1943 Lia Bastre 248-24 3,023,916 3/1962 Purse 2l410.5

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Examiner.

5. AN APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING A LOAD OF LOGS LYING ACROSS A VEHICLECOMPRISING A BASE FRAMEWORK, A PAIR OF DRUMS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAIDFRAMEWORK, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID DRUMS BEING MOUNTED ON A DRUM SUPPORTAND HAVING A FIRST SET OF SPACED MEMBERS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID BASEFRAMEWORK AND SAID DRUM SUPPORT, SAID SPACED MEMBERS BEING PIVOTALLYCONNECTED AT EACH END ABOUT AXIS PARALLEL TO THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OFTHE VEHICLE AND A SECOND SET OF SPACED MEMBERS CONNECTED BETWEEN THEBASE FRAMEWORK AND THE DRUM SUPPORT AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT EACH ENDABOUT AXES PARALLEL AND SPACED FROM THE FIRST MENTIONED AXES, THEMEMBERS OF THE FIRST AND SECOND SETS BEING ARRANGED TO BIAS SAID DRUM INTHE DIRECTION OF THE OTHER DRUM OF THE PAIR OF DRUMS, SAID DRUMS BEINGSPACED TO PERMIT SAID VEHICLE WITH ITS LOAD TO BE DRIVEN BETWEEN SAIDDRUMS WITH SAID DRUMS BEARING ON THE ENDS OF THE LOGS.